FOOTBALL

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2508, 7 August 1888, Page 3

FOOTBALL

Te Awainutu v. Hamilton.

[BY WINfiMAN.) The first match of th« season between these two clubs was played on Saturday on Sydney Square, Hamilton. Kast, and resulted in a win for the homo team by four points to nil. From the start it was evident that Hamilton would have the best of the game, and in the second spell they kept their opponents, who were then playing one man short, on the defensive almost the whole time. Te Awnmutn was represented by Blackett, Corboy, Qninn, Graham (captain), Gilford, Home, Hunter, Cowley (2), Milus, Sibley, Cunningham, Given, Baylis, and Gannonswny, while Hammond (2), O'Neil, Sa»c, von Sturmer, Mulgau, Gobble, Jolly, Peacock Reid, Clarkiu, Kelly, Cassidy, Mayes and Quick ('id duty for Hamilton. The game was to have started at 3 o'clock, but owing to some delay in getting a ball, did not commence until 3.30. Te Awamutn having won the toss, elected to play with the wind at their backs, and the sun in their eyes, and Cassidy opened the game by kicking off for Hamilton. From the return the ball went to Mulgan, who carried it into Te Aivamutu's 2.*), and then the Hamilton forwards, Jolly and Peacock being prominent, by a loose rush carried the ball over the line, and Peacock fell on it in touchin goal. On falling on the ball Peacock fell on a piece of nlass, and gave himself a nasty cut on the knee, but he continued playing. Shortly after the kick out the Hamilton forwards again rushed the ball over the line and fell on it, but again in touch-in-goal. F. Hammond got a mark just after this, and Cassidy took the kick at goal, but without success, and for some time tho play was of a give-and-take character, Graham and Quinn working hard for Te Awamutu, while Quick, O'Neill and Gribble. were prominent among the Hamiltonians. The Hamilton forwards gradually worked the ball up to Te Awamutu's 25, when Blackott, by a long kick, sent tho leather down to O'Neill, who, however, carried it back again by a fine run, and Jolly, Quick and Peacock, by a fast rush, took the ball up to the Te Aivamutn line. From the scrum which followed, Von Sturmer got tho ball and passed to F. Hammond, who made a short dash, and on being collared passed to Quick, and the latter ran in and touched down near the corner flag. W. Hammond took the kick, which was a difficult one, and although he made a good attempt, failed to increase the score. Te Awamntu freshened up after this, and carried the ball down to Hamilton's 2;>, ■where it remained until half-time was oalled, the score being : Hamilton, 1 ; Te Awamutu. nil. Quinn opened the second spell for Te Awamutu, and Mulgan returned into touch. From the line-out the ball went into Hamilton's 25, and from a rash pass by von Sturmer almost on to the line, when F. Hammond fell on it. F. Cowley, who had been playing a good game among the Te Awamutu forwards, now retired hurt, having broken the eud of his breastbone, and from this time out Te Awamntn had to play a defensive game, and though they managed to break away once or twice, the ball was gradually worked back to their line again. About half way through this spell, from a scrum on Te Awamutu's line, the ball went to von Sturmer, who passed to W. Hammond, and the latter ran in about 10 yards from the poets, and secured the second try for Hamiltou. The kick was taken by W Hammond, and he landed a splendid goal. The score now being Hamilton 4, Ye Awamutu nil. Te Awamutu were forced soon after this, and from the kick out Sage made a good run, but was thrown into touch in goal. Until call of time although Te Awamutu was forced several times, owing to the splendid defence of Qttinn, Graham, and Cowley, no further score was made, and the game ended as as above, Hamilton 4 points, Te Awamutu nil. For the visitors Quinn played the best game, while Cowley (2), Hume, Graham, and Sibley were conspicuous, the latter especially at the line out. Anion" the Hamilton forwards Quick was especially noticeable, while Jolly, I'eacock, and Maycs, did good work, O'Neill, among the backs, had most to do, and did it well, while von Sturmer, at centre, did good work, but once or twice passed rather rashly. Millgan, although out of form, followed up the rushes well, and some of the other Hamilton backs might take a lesson from him in this respect, Neither Sage nor the Hammonds had much to do, although tho former made one very good run, when he was thrown into touch in goal. The game itself was one of, if not, the nicest game ever played in Waikato, and wo are very glad to notice this improvement, as it is a pleasure to go to a game where there is none of the bickering and bad language which has marked football matches in Waikato formerly. Messrs Odium and Marshall umpired for Hamilton and Te Awamutu, respectively, and Mr M. Hume acted as referee, and all these gentlemen irave universal satisfaction. We are glad to state that Mr W. Cowley, who was attended to by Dr. Mnrch, was able to proceed home on Saturday evening, and hope that he will soon bo in the field again. _____